Stephen’s regular updates on his condition generated a huge amount of public support including donations from celebrities such as Ricky Gervais and Benedict Cumberbatch.

With Gift Aid included, contributions total over £4 million, far surpassing his initial target of £10,000.

Sutton’s death was disclosed on his Facebook page yesterday morning, where his mother wrote: “My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning.”